Stateside Challenge

Geography

Student teams master information about state geography and use it to challenge fellow classmates in a geography game.

What You Need

atlases, maps, globes

almanacs (optional)

What to Do

Have students work in teams to study the states in one region of the United States (for example, New England) by locating the region on the atlas, map, or globe. Students should make notes on such factors as coastlines, borders with other states, capitals, and major landforms (mountains, lakes, rivers).

Have each team write a set of clues for each state in the region. For example:

This state is part of New England.

This state has the Atlantic Ocean on its east coast.

This state borders Canada.

This state’s capital is Augusta.

This state is the state farthest north on the Atlantic coast.

To play Stateside Challenge, each team presents another team with a series of clues (up to five) about a state. The fewer clues a team needs to name the state, the more value the correct answer has. For example:

one clue = 100 points

two clues = 80 points

three clues = 60 points

four clues = 40 points

five clues = 20 points

Continue the challenge matches by selecting another region for study.

Teaching Options

Award bonus points if a team not only names the state but can point to it on the atlas, map, or globe.

Students may enjoy playing similar challenge matches for hemispheres, continents, and countries.